Studiocanal will re-release actor and comedian Tony Hancock’s feature films, The Rebel and The Punch and Judy Man on Blu-ray and DVD next month.
Comedy legend Tony Hancock made his feature film-starring debut in The Rebel (AmazonUK Affiliate Link) in 1961, appearing alongside George Sanders, a witty satire that takes both white-collar monotony and the pretensions of the art-world in its crosshairs.


A self-taught artist with an enthusiasm that far exceeds any ability, Anthony Hancock throws in his hollow office job and moves to Paris to live his dream. Although he quickly finds acceptance among the bohemians and beatniks, legitimate critics scoff at his work. However, he begins to taste critical success when the art of his talented former roommate becomes confused with his own…
Appearing in his second feature film-starring role, comedy legend Tony Hancock gives a memorable performance in The Punch and Judy Man (AmazonUK Affiliate Link), released in 1963, a bittersweet comedy of small-town snobbery and one-upmanship.
Content to scratch out a living in the faded seaside town of Piltdown, puppeteer Wally Pinner (Hancock) is unhappily married to Delia (Sylvia Syms), a gift-shop owner with social pretensions. When Wally is invited to perform at the town’s anniversary gala reception, however, Delia scents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to raise the couple’s social standing…



The Punch and Judy Man is the impetus for the free The Punch and Judy Festival, returning to Bognor Regis over the weekend of Saturday 27th – 28th September, in The Royal Norfolk Hotel Gardens on The Esplanade. Over two days, ten different Punch and Judy Professors will perform along with other puppet attractions.
Much of The Punch and Judy Man was shot on location at Bognor Regis, doubling for Piltdown on Sea, and over 2000 local residents appeared as extras.
Decades on, the prestigious Punch and Judy Club, along with Bognor Regis Heritage Partnership and The Tony Hancock Appreciation Society, are again bringing Mr Punch back to the Royal Norfolk Hotel, presenting some of the country’s very best Punch and Judy shows in the gardens of the hotel.
Puppet collector and Punch and Judy show performer David Wilde will be on hand to perform with Tony Hancock’s puppets from the film, reuniting them with historic artefacts, costumes, scripts and photos from the archive of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society, who will also have a stand at the event.
• Preorder The Rebel from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link) here – available on Blu-Ray and DVD
Blu-ray Extras include “An Irrepressible Streak “ – comedian Paul Merton on The Rebel; “A Definitive Comedian – Diane Morgan on Tony Hancock; plus commentary with comedian Paul Merton and screenwriters Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, a Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery, and the film’s theatrical trailer.
• Preorder The Punch and Judy Man from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link) here – available on Blu-Ray and DVD
Blu-ray Extras: “Hard Knocks” – Paul Merton on The Punch and Judy Man; an excerpt from the ABC Series, Hancock; a BEHP Audio interview extract with Jeremy Summers; an episode of The Blackpool Show: Season 1 Episode 7 (1966), compèred by Hancock; a Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery, and Theatrical trailer
• The Tony Hancock Appreciation Society
The Society is dedicated to finding, preserving and promoting the works of Tony Hancock, one of the most popular and influential comedians of the late twentieth century | Join here
• Hancock: The Lad Himself by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page is still available direct from B7 Media, a smashing 290-page hardback graphic novel telling the story of the much-loved actor and comedian, currently on offer for £24.95.
Tony Hancock – The Lad Himself tells the story of the legendary comedian in words, pictures, and not without a few interruptions from The Lad Himself, who proves to be a little infuriated at how his story is told… as those who know and love his work would fully expect! | Foreword by author and Private Eye journalist, Louis Barfe
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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